The time has to be just right for a new piercing. In my experience with body modification I've found that I always end up with a very personal and deep attachment (also literally speaking). In those terms, my best and most favorite piercings are my surface bars. I have two horizontal bars above my cleavage, unimpressive as it may be. The top bar is about 3cm long, the bottom about 2 ½ cm. I have plans for a third to go just below and to be 2cm, so my project would form a "V" shape. Unfortunatley I'm usually dead broke, and surface piercings are very expensive.
At A Glance Author Sam Contact Sam@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Jake Studio Bushido Location Calgary, AB The idea of surface piercing first came to me right here on BME, looking through the unusual section, I found there to be a range of surface piercings from up near the collarbones, to the ever popular sternum piercings. Nothing ever turned up in the middle, so I began to plan for a "ladder" of bars a few inches above the usual sternum spot. I thought about it long and hard, I don't like the excuse "Oh, but piercings aren't as permanent as tattoos" to get pierced on a whim. I was able to save up enough money for two of my three bars over the summer. That Perfect Timing came in September, I went downtown Calgary to where my piercing-loyalty lies, Bushido.
My piercer, Jake, is a meticulous planner and it took quite a while discussing my plans when he suggested I make my project in the "V" shape to better suit my body. It was a natural choice, so he drew on the plan for my entry and exit holes. The planning itself took a lot of trial and error, it ended up taking almost an hour before it was drawn on perfect and I got to lay down for the piercings. I was deliriously excited and asked if I was nervous and I could honestly say no. To get more into it I popped on my headphones to listen to the only band memorable enough to listen to during a piercing, HIM. (excuse my fanatics)
Due to the awkward angle of my piercing I didn't get to watch, but that is a minor detail as the piercing itself was an incredible feeling. The top bar went through like a dream, and was unlike anything I've gotten pierced before, the bottom one was worse in the pain factor and took a little longer even though it was shorter, and even a second time the deep pleasant feeling surprised me. When it was done, Jake and I talked for a bit, but I could not stop smiling. One thing I love about Bushido is the friendliness of the staff, they're never in a hurry to get you over and done with, they take their time no matter how busy it's gotten. Once I was out of the shop I lost my cool and jumped up and down, still smiling like mad, much to the dismay of anyone else on the sidewalk, apologies to those I startled. It was a brisk day and the wind made my fresh piercings tingle, but they felt fantastic, only one hole bled, and only a drop.
The piercings have since done fantastic, though aftercare was a religion, a general pain in the ass, it was a labour of love.
For the negative side of these piercings:
When I sleep on my side, they get squished, and this canbe very uncomfortable, I had the change the way I slept and on my back has yet to be as comfy as on my side.
Also, if they are hidden the chances of someone accidentally poking or bumping them, I can get a little angry when this happens, but how were they to know?
This is 4-5 months later, and it turned out my cleavage wasn't all that unimpressive, the clash with my anatomy forced me to take out the bottom bar, it was actually healing up fine but it got very uncomfortable. I've since devised a more plan to complete my "V" shape with two slightly diagonal bars. Getting the bottom bar taken out was very bittersweet experience, I had to do it to make my project more successful, but on the ctrain home I almost cried.
The most common reaction I get:
Women, All Ages: Horrified faces while clutching their chests "Owww. Did that hurt?!?!", they usually leave with their hands still over their chests, but a little less horrified.
Answering the "Did it Hurt?" and "How did you do that?" questions get repetitive and I don't mind. But trying to explain my spiritual and mental attachment to people is worse. To those who ask, but aren't open to the idea, can be frustrating to try to answer, but It's another labour of love. And It's definitely worth it.